Mavis Hill Godwin|
Mavis Hill Godwin in 2001
Mavis was born Nov. 12, 1918, and died June 26, 2013.
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Mavis' children With Willie Narvin Godwin |
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Infant Godwin Nov. 27, 1933-Nov. 27, 1933 |
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Willie Eugene "Gene" Godwin |
| Charles Randall Godwin |
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Zilphia Dianne Godwin Strickland Feb. 7, 1941-June 26, 2014 |
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James Earl Godwin March 16, 1946-Nov. 16, 2007 |
Mavis Hill Godwin at the 2009 Stancil Reunion
Family photo
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Mavis Hill Godwin, born on November 12, 1918, entered the world under the care of Aunt Topsey, a midwife. She was the cherished first daughter of Millard and Zilphia Stancil Hill, and her name paid homage to her maternal grandmother, Cassandra Moore.
Mavis possessed natural curly red hair, but as she reached her forties, her locks transformed—black with subtle red highlights. Her eyes mirrored her attire: blue when she wore blue, green when she donned green.
Uncle Clarence Hill affectionately nicknamed her “Mate.” In her early years, one of her tasks involved herding geese into the fields—an unconventional method of weeding by letting them graze.
Mavis was the granddaughter of Fred and Tempy Ann Stancil Hill. Tempy Ann died in 1909 and Fred died in 1918. She grew up in a household that looked after family members facing hard times. When she was just 2, Tony Hill, age 13, her dad’s brother, lived with them. When she was 12, Arthur Hill, age 18, her dad’s half-brother, moved in. Both helped out on the farm. Mavis’ older brother was Vernon “Jim” Fletcher, younger sisters were Hazel, Beatrice “Bea,” and Virginia Eloise. Mavis had two nicknames, “Mate” bestowed on her by Uncle Clarence Hill and “sister” by her brother Jim.
Mavis recalled going to the Stancil Reunion about 1923. They stopped and gave Uncle Harvey Stancil a ride to the reunion. Uncle Harvey lifted Mavis and Hazel down from the Model T. He held one of them in each hand. Zilphia made their pretty yellow dotted Swiss dresses trimmed in white lace.
An early school memory was reciting in front of her first-grade class, the poem, “Rooster Crows Early in the Morning.” Mavis attended Moore School House.
Mavis carried her lunch to school in a sack until her pa bought her a metal lunch box with space for a thermos, which was sold separately. She took a metal cup for getting water from the school’s hand pump. Lunch was often egg and biscuits.
As a youngster, neighbors had a piano and invited Mavis to play. She was naturally musical and already played the pedal organ and the harmonica. Among the songs she learned were, “God Be with You Till We Meet Again” and “Auld Lang Syne.”
An organ graced Mavis’s home, but it was at a neighbor’s house that she learned to play the piano. Even after retirement, she continued her musical journey by taking piano lessons at the community college. Her favorite tune? “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,” a sentiment that encapsulated her worldview.
Mavis’s intelligence shone brightly—she skipped third grade. But her talents extended beyond the classroom. As Mrs. Santa Claus in a school play, she charmed audiences with her acting skills.
At Glendale School, Mavis met Narvin Godwin. Their love blossomed, leading to a secret marriage in Dillon, South Carolina. They settled into a modest four-room wooden house, and Narvin became a tenant farmer on her father's land. When World War II erupted, Mavis worked in the mill.
In 1954, the couple purchased a historic 45-acre farm near Elm City, North Carolina. The house, built in 1840 by enslaved hands using wooden pegs, stood as a testament to history. Tobacco cultivation fueled their livelihood, and Mavis deftly balanced mill work, motherhood, and farm chores.
Mavis was taught the importance of hard work from an early age. Tobacco was the money crop and required many hours of labor, planting seeds, pulling plants, setting them out with a peg, suckering, cropping, stringing, curing it with heat in the barn, and preparing for market by taking tobacco off sticks, grading, and tying it by hand. They hoped to finish selling before Christmas.
A large garden and hog killings provided food and required everyone to work. One job Mavis had was driving geese into the field to eat grass and into the barn at night. She also helped her mother when it was time to pick down from the geese for feather beds and pillows.
Mavis met her future husband, Willie Narvin Godwin, in grammar school. He was the son of William George Godwin and Ada Batton. George was a tenant farmer and later worked with the state of North Carolina as a prison guard.
School came easy for Mavis; she skipped 3rd grade. Mavis was the star of a school play at Glendale High School when she played Mrs. Santa Claus. Among those in the audience were Harvey Stancil and his daughters; Eula Gray and Ruth Elder.
Mavis and Narvin started seeing each other and it developed into a deep love. Like many couples at this time, they secretly married on April 29, 1933, in Dillon, SC. They kept it a secret for a while.
Mavis graduated from Glendale High School in June 1933, at 15 years old. She was the first in the family to graduate from high school. At this time, students graduated after 11 years of schooling. Mavis and Narvin told Millard and Zilphia they were married. Millard was surprised and at first quite angry but in time, with Zilphia’s influence, he accepted Narvin and asked him to be a tenant farmer, growing tobacco and cotton.
Mavis and Narvin moved into the three-room, weather-boarded house, with a cedar shake roof. It had a pump on the back porch and a small front porch. Zilphia inherited it from her mama’s estate. It was behind Millard and Zilphia’s home. Narvin nailed cardboard inside to keep out the cold winter air. Rain came through some of the cedar shakes, Narvin and Mavis stretched oil cloth over beds to keep them dry and placed pots around to catch the rain drops.
Mavis had chickens and traded eggs at the stores at Moore School House for sugar, coffee, and ice. They never had any money. While there, they visited her brother, “Jim” Vernon, in his pool hall. This was a few years before he was drafted into WWII.
Farming was hard, and the challenges and disappointments were all too familiar. At the end of the first year, they had not saved much money, even after being extremely frugal. The future looked bleak.
Narvin decided he needed to provide better for his family, which now included Gene, who was born in 1936. Narvin’s father, George, worked at Caledonia Prison Farm in Halifax County, NC, about 70 miles northeast of Johnston County. He told Narvin the prison was hiring. Narvin was hired and moved his family into a large two-story house. He guarded prisoners as they gathered crops on the farm. The job lasted for eight months, and then they returned to tenant farming for Millard.
While chopping cotton, Mavis put Gene under a homemade tent at the end of the row, with their German Shepherd, who kept watch over him. Even today, Gene remembers how hot it was.
Narvin used his whistling skills to imitate the Bob White quail call. Often quails returned his call. Gene recalls one flying toward his dad’s call and into some chicken wire, killing itself.
Finally, in 1940, Narvin and Mavis decided to quit farming and moved to Rocky Mount. They did not have a car, so Narvin paid Matt “Crack” Boykin $5 to move them. The house Narvin found for them to rent had no fireplace or any way to heat, but the price was right. Narvin was paid 35 cents an hour at the Sidney Blumenthal mill. Before really cold weather arrived, Narvin found an affordable house with heat, but it was two miles one way to work, and they had no transportation.
In 1941, the mill started hiring women. Mavis worked the night shift while Narvin worked the day shift. They both walked the two miles each way, along the railroad tracks, to work. Mavis and Narvin attended the Rocky Mount Road Baptist Church, which had a dynamic lady preacher, Rev. Pierce.
Initially, Narvin was deferred from being drafted into WWII because he had three children and worked in a mill that made duck cloth for the military. But after six weeks, he had to report to the US Army at Fort Bragg, NC, and then was stationed in Camp Lee, VA, near Petersburg. Narvin and Mavis had bought a 1937 Chevy, and Narvin was able to go home for visits. When the war ended, he was discharged at Fort Meade, MD.
Mavis and Narvin’s goal was to buy a farm. They spent years working and saving. They realized this dream in 1954 when they bought 55 acres with a house that bordered the Tar River Reservoir in Nash County, near Elm City. The wooden house, built in 1840 by slaves, was made of hand-hewn beams and large timbers held together with wooden pegs.
Later, they added 45 more acres. For a couple of years, Narvin farmed with two mules, one named ‘Old Blue’. Gene recalled plowing with him. He loved those mules. Narvin also worked at the mill. In 1956, he retired from the mill and farmed full-time. This is also when they purchased their first TV. Because of Mavis’ work schedule, she often missed her favorite TV show, “I Love Lucy.”
Narvin grew 14 acres of tobacco and was able to buy a tractor and retire his mules. His first tractor was a Farmall A; later, he added a John Deere M and then a Farmall 440 Diesel. He grew cotton, corn, and raised Hampshire hogs, goats, and Dominique chickens. Millard told them that having a goat would keep the other animals healthy.
Mavis continued working at the mill and juggled home and farm duties. They grew a large garden of collards, squash, beans, tomatoes, cantaloupes, and watermelons. Dianne worked alongside Mavis as they preserved by canning and freezing.
In the 1960s, Mavis bought her first Singer sewing machine. She was an expert seamstress, even making denim dungarees. Zilphia taught Mavis to quilt, and she made quilts for her children and grandchildren. She learned to crochet and made a stunning black, orange, and yellow queen-size Afghan.
Mavis and Narvin held many family gatherings. Narvin, daughter-in-laws, Betty and Joan, especially enjoyed fishing for Crappie and netting for Red Eye Chub (a member of the freshwater Bass family) in the Tar River Reservoir. The family loved sitting on her back porch filled with hanging baskets in view of the many flower beds. After a meal, no one hurried to leave; they stayed at the table for hours just talking.
Mavis retired in 1983. Now they had time for a favorite pastime, square dancing and the two-step. They were a pair of the best dancers on the floor. Often other couples stopped dancing and moved aside to watch them, to the delight of Mavis. Two songs they really liked were, “Under the Double Eagle” and “Don’t let your deal go down.” Mavis made her square dance outfits.
Setback was one card game they played with friends, sometimes into the wee hours of the morning. Then Mavis cooked a big country breakfast of homegrown country ham, eggs, grits, homemade biscuits, homemade pear and strawberry preserves, and red-eye gravy, a.k.a. “heart attack in a bowl!”
Although musical, Mavis had never had formal lessons. She longed to play the piano well and signed up for piano lessons at the community college. Mavis enjoyed playing, “He’s got the Whole World in his Hands,” it summed up how Mavis felt.
Mavis grew up attending Bethany Missionary Baptist Church. In Rocky Mount, Mavis and Narvin attended the Presbyterian Church, the Holiness church, and the Rocky Mount Falls Road Baptist Church. After they moved to the farm, they attended the Union Missionary Baptist church.
Mavis passed down family history and recipes she learned by watching her mother cook, to her grandchildren. Beth, Jennifer, Cindy Jo, and Sean gathered in her kitchen and learned to make Mavis’ famous cornbread, an important part of family history.
Add enough water to get the desired consistency. She would place a mixing spoon full of lard/grease in a baking pan and place it in a 400 to 450-degree oven to melt. (Grease needs to cover the bottom of the pan.) Once melted, she would scoop her cornbread mixture by hand and drop "patties" in the grease.
The cornbread mixture would be wet enough to spread out some when placed in the grease. The patties would touch each other but would break apart once cooked. She would take a spoon and dip into the grease to put just a little bit on top of each piece of cornbread. The cornbread would then bake for approximately 30 minutes until done.
Granddaughter Cathy shared Mavis’ Iced Tea Recipe: Mavis brought water to a boil first and then added a scoop of loose tea leaves along with a pinch of baking soda (no bigger than the tip end of your pinky by her measure). She would quickly stir with a fork to keep from boiling over and then removed from heat to steep for a few minutes. She would put at least 1 cup of sugar in the bottom of her pitcher. She would pour leaves through a strainer, dump back in the pot with some water, and pour through the strainer 2 more times. Then, she added water to fill the pitcher & stirred until the sugar completely dissolved.
Mavis’ Christmas dinner always included homemade chicken pastry, fried chicken, cornbread, sweet tea, homemade biscuits, various frozen homegrown vegetables, banana pudding, and other delicious dishes.
When you asked Mavis how she felt, she said, “About like the weather.”
Mavis shared home medical tips. Vinegar was used for sore muscles and nail fungus. She used a paste made from Dirt Dobber’s nest and water for aches, pain, and swelling. If you had a fever, she placed onion on the bottom of the foot and covered with a sock. Her grandchildren were amused by some of her advice, but she was the first person they called when they needed a cure!
Mavis kept a well-stocked candy jar and you knew she would always have an ice-cold Pepsi waiting for you in the refrigerator, which was covered with photos of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Two of Mavis' favorite sayings were: “Don’t spit no juice out on me!” and “The ends go north, east, south and west.”
Granddaughter Cathy shared more of Mavis’ sayings: “It remains to be seen” and “I’ll eat my hat.” Those that did something nice for her heard, “How great thou art,” “Thanks for being so sweet and kind,” and “You need not bother me because you are not going to get in my pocketbook or pants!”
Mavis was a faithful family member. She and her son, Gene, joined us for 8 of the last 10 Stancil Reunions. At the 2011 Reunion, Mavis, 92 years old, was the oldest member present. A photo was taken of her and the youngest member, Amelia “Lily” Elisabeth Huggins, eleven weeks old, of the George Branch. Mavis was very close to her sisters Hazel, Bea, and Eloise. They often gathered at the reunions.
Narvin and Mavis were very devoted to each other. Mavis always gave him the best of everything, including tender loving care. Mavis lost the love of her life when Narvin died on March 23, 1998. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren kept Mavis surrounded with their love.
After Narvin died, Mavis joined a local lady’s group, The Red Hots, who wore red and white outfits. You had to be between 60 and 90 to join. They sang and did dance routines to entertain the “old folks” in nursing homes. Mavis brought the house down when she donned the Elvis Costume she made, carried a guitar, and played to a cassette of an Elvis song.
Mavis recalled her childhood as a time when everybody knew each other and loved each other. This was her model of community, and she passed it on to her children.
Mavis and Narvin lived the American Dream. Their beginnings were humble, and they lived in poverty. Through perseverance and hard work, they overcame adversity, providing a comfortable home for their children and enjoying their retirement.
Mavis’ favorite song was “One Day at a Time Sweet Jesus,” sung by Daniel O’Donnell, an Irish singer. Gene took her and her best friend Mavis Campbell to his Raleigh Concert.
Mavis died at age 94 on June 26, 2013, at home. Mavis was laid to rest beside her husband of 64 years, Narvin, in Evergreen Memorial Park Mausoleum, Wilson, NC.
Mavis's legacy extended through her children: Gene, Randall, Diane, and James Earl. Grandchildren—Beth, Jennifer, Scott, Sean, Cathy, Cindy Jo, Kelly, and Chris—filled her life with joy. Great-grandchildren followed suit: Evan, Mason, Carson, Caitlyn, Paige, Logan, Nicole, Seth, and Allie.
Passing down family history and cherished recipes, Mavis taught her grandchildren the art of making her special oven cornbread. And her memorable sayings—“Don’t spit no juice out on me” and “The ends go north, east, south, and west”—linger in the hearts of those who knew her.
Mavis fondly recalls her childhood—a time when everyone knew each other and love flowed freely.
We cherish memories of Mavis, her spontaneous laughter, radiant smile, genuine compassion and love.
Perhaps Gene describes his mother best, “She was just a country girl living in a four county world. She had a quick wit with a keen sense of humor and loved to talk. She was a true people person. She also had a remarkable memory of things which happened over her entire life. Our mother was the glue that held the family together.”
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